TUI Care Foundation Launches Wildlife Conservation Programme in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is recognised as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, yet its ecosystems face increasing pressure. The Caribbean lowland rainforest, one of the country’s richest habitats, is amongst the most threatened due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, poaching, and land conversion. These pressures place endangered species such as the critically endangered Lemur Leaf Frog and the Great Green Macaw at risk of extinction. At the same time, nearby communities, including the Cabécar Indigenous population, face limited economic opportunities and a high reliance on natural resources. Responsible tourism development presents an opportunity to address both biodiversity loss and community development but requires effective conservation systems and local engagement to succeed.

During its first phase, TUI Wildlife Costa Rica, in collaboration with the Work with Nature Foundation, demonstrated measurable results in rainforest conservation and community engagement in the buffer area of the Barbilla National Park across 275 hectares of land, next to the Cabécar Indigenous territory of Bajo Chirripó in Costa Rica. Thousands of native trees were planted to restore degraded habitats, and innovative conservation methods including the construction of 20 artificial frog breeding ponds to support the critically endangered Lemur Leaf Frog were implemented.

In parallel, specialised nesting boxes were installed to support the Great Green Macaw, contributing to increased sightings and activity in the reserve. Camera traps and monitoring systems were introduced, and regular ranger patrols helped prevent deforestation and poaching. Education and awareness activities, including guided walks and school visits, engaged local communities and helped build long-term support for conservation.

Building on these results, the second phase of the project scales up conservation efforts and connects forested fragments between the Work with Nature Reserve with Barbilla National Park, with newly acquired land, strengthening its value as a biological corridor. Regular ranger patrols will expand to an area of 289 hectares within the reserve to prevent illegal activities and safeguard wildlife. Habitat restoration continues with the planting of additional native trees, which also serve as food and shelter for the Great Green Macaws. The arboretum introduces 50 new native species to support conservation, education, and research and aims to create the most biodiverse arboretum in Central America. Conservation measures focus on at least four endangered species, including the Lemur Leaf Frog, Great Green Macaw, Gliding Tree Frog, and Splendid Tree Frog, supported by ongoing monitoring systems and research using camera traps and bioacoustic technology. The project also aims to identify and protect endangered bat species, further strengthening ecosystem understanding and resilience while facilitating targeted management strategies in the future.

The project actively involves local and Indigenous communities. It creates employment and training opportunities for local people and supports indigenous-led activities, whilst promoting environmental education through guided tours and school programmes. These activities connect conservation directly with sustainable tourism, offering visitors opportunities to learn about and contribute to habitat restoration and biodiversity monitoring.

The project is part of the TUI Care Foundation’s TUI Wildlife Programme, which protects endangered wildlife and habitats in tourist destinations worldwide such as Rwanda, Cambodia, Namibia and Mexico.